RADON
The Silent Killer
What is radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas from the break down of minerals in rocks. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless.
Why should you be concerned of high levels of radon?
Human senses cannot detected indoor radon and health consequences can be delayed for many years. It moves up through the ground and gets through cracks in your house and eventually will build up.
How are radon levels determined?
Working level units are used to measure radon in a home. Commercial test kits are widely available and the most common forms are charcoal canisters, alpha track detectors, liquid scintillation detectors, and ion chamber detectors. These tests collect radon levels for a period of time and then are returned to laboratories for analysis. It is estimated that 1 in 15 houses in the USA have high radon levels.
How does radon affect your health?
Radon particles break down in lung tissue and irritates surrounding cells. This process allows for uncontrolled growth which leads to lung cancer. Radon is the largest lung cancer risk in the non-smoking population. Radon risks are cumulative and increase with increase of exposure. It is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year.
What can be done to reduce radon levels in buildings?
If there isn't enough money to test all rooms then start with rooms with that have the highest risk. Individuals should understand the potential threat and importance of accurate testing. Doors and windows should remain closed for testing periods. Personnels should stay in contact with radon officials to receive the latest information on testing.